Travel Safety Tips for Visitors

Right: Officers of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission patrol the waters of the Keys to conduct boater safety checks and enforce regulations.

Whether you are a diver, boater or bicyclist, or simply enjoy tropical settings, the community leaders of the Florida Keys take your safety very seriously. They have assembled numerous resources with information about safety rules and practices.

Divers and Snorkelers, for example, must always use red and white "diver down" flags to alert boaters of their presence. Boaters should know that the Keys have many shallow areas. They also should pilot their craft at reasonable speeds, especially in channels and harbor areas. All precautions should be taken to avoid decompression illness, but if illness is suspected the hospital staffs in the Keys are very experienced with diagnosing and treating it.

Bicycling is allowed along U.S. 1, the Overseas Highway, but officials hope cyclists will make use of the paved Overseas Heritage Trail, which parallels the highway in many places. In Key West, where bicycling on the historic streets is hugely popular, city leaders emphasize that cyclists must use lights at night.

If you plan to enjoy the fabulous weather of the Keys, please be advised that the sunlight at latitude 24 is very intense and can burn unprotected skin in a matter of minutes. Sunscreen is strongly advised.

The Keys have three well-equipped hospitals, but in some severe emergencies patients are airlifted to facilities on mainland Florida.

During the summer and fall hurricane season, you should be aware that this web site becomes part of a well-oiled public communications system that keeps visitors and residents apprised of any possible need to evacuate.

Luckily, the crime rate is low in the Keys but our Sheriff's Office can give you advice on how to avoid becoming a rare victim.

We encourage you to learn more about safety with the following resources:

Visitor Assistance Line

Phone: 1-800-771-KEYS (5397)
Multi-lingual staff are ready to help you with directions and phone numbers to medical facilities and law enforcement offices and much more. The staff work 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Overseas Heritage Trail
Phone: 305-853-3571
Bicyclists are encouraged to use the Overseas Heritage Trail adjacent to the highway wherever the trail is available.

Key West City Government
Phone: 305-809-3877http://www.keywestcity.com
City leaders are happy their historic streets are so popular among bicyclists, and they have established bike lanes and safety rules for them, including a requirement for bike lights at night.

Decompression Illness
Divers suspecting decompression illness should seek medical attention immediately at one of the Keys hospitals The staff at these facilities know how to diagnose and treat the condition. If necessary, they will transfer patients to one of two decompression facilities in the Keys. The U.S. military operates a decompression chamber in Key West. The more-often used facility is located in the Upper Keys at Mariner's Hospital

Mosquito Protection

For personal comfort and health reasons, it is important to take personal precautions to prevent contact with mosquitoes. This includes the Aedes aegypti mosquito, a freshwater species common to tropical and subtropical regions of the world that has been known to transmit mosquito-borne illnesses through a bite from an infected mosquito. Preventive measures include:

Wearing mosquito repellents with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus as an active ingredient. Wearing long sleeves and pants, when comfortable to do so, provides additional protection.

Dumping standing water in and around homes/vacation rentals, where mosquitoes like to breed, such as coolers, flower pots, buckets or any containers that could retain rainwater.

Securing screens on windows and doors, ensuring there are no holes or tears where mosquitoes might gain entry.